India, Aug. 21 -- In a glaring example of weak enforcement of solid waste management laws, the Pune Municipal Corporation (PMC) has penalised only 19 citizens this year for refusing to hand over household waste during door-to-door collection.

According to data shared by PMC, just Rs.28,800 in fines has been collected in the past seven months from residents found dumping garbage in open spaces after failing to hand it over to sanitation staff. Civic officials admitted that these actions have led to unhygienic conditions and littering in various neighbourhoods.

Meanwhile, many residents have pushed back, blaming the PMC for irregular waste collection. They claim inconsistent timing often forces them to leave garbage bags on roadsides or i...